Filenews 28 November 2021
In an emergency meeting held at Nicosia Hospital, the Ministry of Health and the Organization of State Health Services, assessed the situation prevailing in state hospitals in relation to hospitals and examined the ways to react in case of the appearance of the new mutation of the coronavirus "Omikron", which alerted the global health authorities.
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipantela, the General Director of the Ministry of Health Christina Giannaki, the Administration and The Directorate of the CySEC, the Executive Directors of the Hospitals in all provinces, officers of the CySEC and officials of the Ministry of Health.
In his statements, the Minister of Health said that "on Friday night after the briefing we had about the new virus, we immediately decided to hold this meeting, in order to get even better prepared".
"I want to inform you that on Friday afternoon, we had a meeting with the CSO, where we planned, that we will transfer some patients from the public hospitals to the private sector, so that in case we have an increase in hospitalizations, our hospitals will cope."
He stressed that, "at the moment, based on the official data of the EU, our country is among the first places in terms of reduced hospitalizations and we want to maintain this first place".
According to the Minister of Health, "a decree will be issued that will stop the cold cases and the transfer of patients at this time, always under the guidance of the General Director and will concern people from intensive care units, Pathology, Pulmonary, Orthopedics and wherever else there is a need.
When asked if the third dose covers the new mutation and what actions will be taken by the Ministry of Health, Mr. Chatzipandelas stressed that, "the appearance of this virus makes the 3rd dose even more necessary, because all the indications from experts, both in Cyprus and abroad, show us that the vaccine will offer an important protection". "It may not offer at 100%, but it offers a 70% - 80% protection which is very, very important."
Stressing that, with the new mutation, it is more important to use protective masks, giving an example Britain, where while it had abolished the measure for mandatory use of masks, now, it has reinstated the measure. "I want to send the message that masks protect and do not pose any problems and it is very important, now, with the new mutation to use the masks."
Asked to comment on the reactions raging from parents for the use of protective masks in primary schools, the Minister of Health stressed that "several cases have been identified in schools and the decisions of the Council of Ministers are taken following the recommendations of experts", clarifying that, "there are two options: either to use the protective mask, which according to experts does not create any problem, or close schools. The government chooses the first option and thinks it is the most correct measure."
When asked if there are any numbers of vaccinated people who were hospitalized in intensive care units and died, the Minister of Health stressed that, "most of the patients who died are people who had other health problems, stressing that the number of people who have had both doses and have not had any other health problems and died is minimal.
Asked what procedure was followed for Cypriot citizens arriving from African countries, Mr. Chatzipandela said that the results of all 11 people are negative and it was agreed that a second check would be carried out to confirm the results.
When asked if the measures are expected to be tightened, Mr. Chatzipandelas said that, "it is an issue that is being evaluated and the recommendations of the experts are expected in tomorrow's meeting with the Advisory Scientific Committee".
On her part, the General Director of the Ministry of Health, Christina Yiannaki, said that vaccinations have increased significantly in the ages of 12-19 years, "as on Saturday alone about 6,000 vaccinations were made and for children aged 5-11 years, vaccines are expected in Cyprus in December".
As she pointed out, "vaccinations will be done through the vaccination centres of free attendance (walk in), while in the coming days there will be large vaccination centres (walk in) in the wine villages to better serve the citizens. The goal is to get 83% for those fully vaccinated."